I am going to the Dominican Republic on Sunday on our honeymoon and for my good friend’s wedding. Kind of bittersweet considering what’s happened in Haiti. Very sad to see all of those images in the news and to think about all of those people. If you pray, I encourage you to pray for this nation and its people.
I don’t know if I’m in the minority here, but I totally PREP for a beach vacation. I order new bathing suits, dresses, sandals etc. I love wearing a different bikini every day.
However, the most important prep is my beauty prep. I have let myself get super pale and have been exfoliating like crazy to get my skin prepped and ready…for a professional airbrush tan! I can’t imagine arriving in the DR like a ghost, so I am going to get a lovely glow via airbrush. I go to a girl here in Houston in the Galleria area who does an amazing job for $35. Email me if you’d like her info. Considering most places charge 50-100$, I’d say 35$ is a DEAL.
Please make me glow-y like Brooklyn Decker.
Then on Saturday after taking my final pre-vaycay pilates session, (I’ve gone everyday this week except for Tuesday, when I did cardio and a workout video) I am going for the brazilian.
Yep. For anyone who has done this before- you know the (slight) pain, but you also know the results are worth it. The place I go to (European Wax Center) has great prices and it actually hardly hurts at all. I truly don’t feel pain because they use this special beeswax stuff (it’s blue.) Apparently it only grabs the hairs and not the skin.
Saturday is also my mani/pedi appointment. I have a confession: my toes are disgusting right now. Like literally patchy Lincon Park After Dark polish chipped all over the place. I am like utterly embarassed when I have to take my shoes off at pilates only to reveal my gross toes.
Truth is, I was trying to save money by doing at-home pedicures, and I have gotten lazy since I’m always wearing tights. I badly need this professional pedicure. Oh so badly. I would take a pic of how bad they are, but no one needs to see that.
Do you do your own nails or do you always get them done professionally?
I am also going to try to do a seperate vacation packing post. I really hope I’ll have time to do it tomorrow night. I’m going to show pretty much everything I’m bringing, and also discuss my packing strategy…because I have one…because I’m an organization, type-A freak and I need to pack a certain way.
How do YOU prep for a vacation? Any special rituals or beauty treatments?
I would say the spray tan, wax and mani/pedi are pretty standard (not to mention the MONTHS of working out to look cute in a bikini!)
Let me know in the comments below!
xoxo,
Veronika.
PS- Yes, my luggage is HOT PINK!
Oh man, I totally agree about the brazilian!
I generally do my own toes but I go to get a professional pedi done once in a while, I just can't get my feet as smooth as they do.
Have a wonderful trip!
I have never had a brazilian before, and it definitely has to do with the pain factor. I go to a wonderful lady who waxes my brows, but the thought of her seeing me "down there" scares me! I admire you for doing it though, I'm sure it will be worth it!
I normally do my own mani-pedi but I do like to indulge myself once every couple of months, or when I have a special event to attend. Have so much fun in the DR! And yes, Haiti is in my prayers.
I'm in a different minority. It takes me about 20 minutes to pack and I do it just before leaving for the airport. My closet is very organized which is what makes this fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants carelessness possible, but I literally go from left to right with the following formula, if you will, and tailored to season… 1 pair of white or neutral pants, 1 skirt OR 1 dress, 1 cover up, 3 tops (doesn't matter what color or print since the pants are neutral), 1 pairs of casual shorts, 2 bikinis, flip flops for beach, sandals for elsewhere, one pair of heels (maybe, shrugs if I forget them), and undergarments/lingerie for however many days. Foolproof, I'm never overpacked, and since you spend a lot of time straight up naked on such trips anyway, clothing is secondary.
Waxing is as regular as the sunrise for me, so that's always done, and I keep my nails natural on trips – maybe with clear topcoat. Catching a chip on vaca is like having a pebble in your Choo.
Have so much fun on your Honeymoon V! Take lots of pics for us! xoxo
um 1) I WANT that bikini on the model, like now and 2) have you ever had a bad experience with the air brush tanning? I keep wanting to try it- I was admittedly a big booth tanning addict and have been slowly trying to break the habit, but my constant give in is beach weekends towards the beginning of summer/pre vacation- I always cave and go for a month before so I need a good alternative.
oh and have fun on your honeymoon!! 🙂
I find your first paragraph pretty amusing (read: hypocritical) since you said this on the f&b board yesterday…
"we already donate to so many local causes. I would definitely donate if it was at a store and they asked for an extra dollar or two for the recovery effort".
I'm sure your prayers, along with your spray tan, fresh mani/pedi, and week's worth of new bikinis, will do wonders for the recovery effort.
Have a great trip!
anon- I'm pretty sure I am asking people to PRAY for the people in Haiti, so I really don't see how that is hypocritical. And…I did say I would donate (like I do to many other causes) if I was asked to add money for the relief to my purchase at a grocery store or elsewhere. I think it is in VERY poor taste to judge someone for which causes they donate to and which ones they don't.
Your comment is completely out of line-you don't know what kind of charities I donate my time and money to. Oh, and thank you for posting anonymously, it always amazes me when people can't just say what they want to say without hiding behind a computer screen.
You are so adorable. I just found your blog and i love love love it! I too am a total girly girl at heart, and I just got back from a vacay! (went in Dec. to the Caribbean). I would say the tanning and mani/pedi is a must. Especially the pedi. You want your feet to look and feel pretty! Bring some dresses too, there will always be nights when you want to dress up and look nice. I brought a maxi dress and a couple of shorter dresses on my trip. I hope you have a ball and I'm definitely going to keep reading your blog!
xo K
Kinsey- thanks for the sweet comments! I am going to bring maxi dresses and short dresses. I love that I can actually wear some short dresses while I'm there (now I don't feel so guilty for buying so many dresses last summer).
Thanks so much for reading!
Have fun on vacation! I'm super jealous! 😉 I do basically everything you mentioned when I get ready for a beach vacation. Plus I try to hydrate like no other! I always feel like I get a little dehydrated when I travel, so before hand I am drinking water like crazy!
To the other anon writer. I don't think it's fair to slam Veronika! This site is obviously meant to be a beauty/fashion site. If the writer's main focus was economics or education, I doubt you would feel she was being a hypocrite for writing about Haiti. It does seem silly to have the catastrophe of Haiti and spraytanning mentioned in the same post- but beauty and fashion are her focus! We can't blame people for continuing to live their lives and pursue their interests. It's what makes the world move forward. Veronika- enjoy your honeymoon! Reading your blog is a small piece of sunshine. An easy way for anyone interested to donate to the Red Cross it to text HAITI to 90999 for a $10 donation. You will get a text message back confirming the payment.
My luggage is hot pink too! I love it because it is always so easy to see coming down the luggage chute- it never gets confused with anyone elses luggage!
That anon commenter is way out of line. Sounds to me like someone is jealous.
You must be so excited for your trip! Mine is coming up at the end of March and I can't wait! As for prepping, back in my college days I would get a base tan so that I wouldn't burn…ugh. Tanning is so horrible for your skin. Now I just make sure I have lots of cute coverups and a big hat and sunglasses. I will definitely be getting a brazilian for this trip as well- you only honeymoon once!
Have a great weekend 🙂
Thanks Katie! where are you guys going in March?
We are going to Kauai, in Hawaii. We orginally were going to do Turks and Caicos (such a short flight) but in the end Kauai won. I'm so excited! The only other "real" vacation we've been on together was to the DR- you guys will love it! Gorgeous weather and beaches!
Not sure, but prob the same arse that posted anonymously last week flaming you for "wearing too much makeup" – it is in extremely POOR taste to judge people based on their charitable donations and whether or not they do it at all.
I must say, flameworthy or not, that I don't think anyone regardless of their income, purchases, lifestyle, etc. is obliged to donate whether it be for a sickness, children, abuse or a catastrophe so if Veronika or anyone for that matter chooses not to donate to Haiti then that's their damn choice, what's it to you – if it matters soooo damn badly then donate an extra $10 for her lack thereof…sheesh
Veronika – I think you do a great job blogging, you talk about what YOU want to, what YOU like and what YOU do because guess what? it's YOUR blog and if someone doesn't like it then they shouldn't read — I hope you have a fabulous time on your honeymoon with your cute little kini's, spray tan and pedi
I do self pedi/mani during the winter and prof done in the summer/spring (its a great way to save during the colder months and it never really shows anyway)
J'sMami- thanks for your comments 🙂 I agree that if people don't like my blog, I would recommend they just not read it!
I'm like you- I get a lot more many pedis in the summer than the winter because I don't show my feet as much! it's a great way to save money when you do it on your own 🙂
V- Have a great time on your honeymoon!! Can't wait to see pics.
thanks Shelly 🙂
Have a great time on your trip, it sounds like it will be a blast!
I like to do my own pedicure, but will pay for a manicure. My hands are just not steady enough!
Have a great trip!
Lucky girl! I'd die for a vacation about now! Have fun!
Leslie- it's our delayed honeymoon! our wedding was in May and we are just now going! My friend is getting married there too so I am sure it will be an extra special honeymoon 🙂
When are you coming back from your honeymoon? I'll miss your blog entries! You'll have to do a big review of where you stayed and all the details. Have an awesome time!
Janine- I get back on the 24th…at midnight…after a 7 hour layover in Miami!
First off – it's your blog & if you want to talk about Haiti & vacay in the same trip that's your business! I wasn't offended & think people that were need to lighten up.
I'm leaving for a cruise on Sunday & I haven't packed yet! Normally, I do my own toes but before a beach trip I have them done professionally. This trip I'm waiting to go to the spa on the ship.
Love your blog!!!
traci- thanks for your sweet comment! I never want to offend everyone so I did write an apology for anyone who does feel offended. I do take the crisis in Haiti very seriously and my husband and I made a donation today for the relief effort. I care about this issue and recognize its importance, but I also feel donating is a personal choice and no one should be made to feel bad whether they do or don't donate.
Hey V, It's Jamie,
I just want to say that personally I am apalled that someone would make such a rude comment on your blog, I think your comment showed a willingness to address the crisis and let people know how you felt, i don't think that anyone who reads your blog on the regular would not find this offensive, hypocritical – clearly it was someone who is looking to find fault.. probably jealous. For all of your readers, I just thought that I should say that besides being beautiful, beyond your amazing beauty and fashion tips/advice.. you are a seriously intelligent, hardworking, creative, talented and generous person and I can say that from years and years of friendship… i hope you have a wonderful time on your honeymoon because you both deserve it and keep blogging because there are many more of us who love to hear what you have to say xo
Well I have to agree with you 100% on the pre-vacation rituals….I too just came back from Punta Cana in November and it was outrageous the things that I had to do as well. Of course I am with you on the fact I would rather crawl under a rock than walk into the DR with glowing white skin so I didnt self tan either for at least a week or 2 before my scheduled professional airbrush tan too! (which in Whitby is $35 as well with a lady I know) AMAZING results! As I am sure you know…all the rest mani, pedi and waxing are all a must as well of course! And much to my boyfriends confusion it was an absolute must that I had a bikini for each day as well! lol its so fun being a girl! Well I agree with you totally on the extensive prep it takes to go away but its all worth it! Enjoy every second!
*Leah*
Jamie- thanks for posting here, it means a lot, especially coming from such an incredible friend, so thank you 🙂
Leah- you are I are on the same page! You know how pale I am naturally. I agree- it is fun being a girl. I cant imagine life without PINK, pretty and ruffles hehe!
Have fun on your honeymoon! It is unfortunate when a tragedy overshadows an event that is supposed to be happy and enjoyable. My cousin had to reschedule his wedding because hurricane Ike hit Galveston the day he was supposed to get married. It least you don't have to reschedule your honeymoon but I'm sure it effects your trip. Good for you for not letting it bring you down. This is your HONEYMOON and you should enjoy it and not let anyone tell you otherwise. I'm sure if it was their honeymoon or vacation or whatever the earthquake wouldn't even have crossed their mind. I think you handled it appropriately. Have fun on your trip!
Man, all I want to say is that I am jealous of how great you are going to look on your trip! I am trying to lose 15 lbs before I head to a friend's destination wedding in Mexico at the end of April and your post inspired me to get my ass in gear.
Thanks!